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    Home » Recipes » Alcoholic Drinks

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Old Fashioned Cocktail

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    Pin image with text showing old fashioned cocktail drink.

    This old fashioned cocktail is a classic bourbon drink made with whiskey, Angostura bitters, and simple syrup (or sugar). It's a great drink for dinner parties or as a nightcap at the end of the day! You don't need any special tools or bartender experience, this popular cocktail is as easy as it gets!

    Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

    An old-fashioned cocktail is a timeless classic made from a simple combination of Angostura bitters, sugar, and bourbon. It's the drink of choice for whiskey lovers everywhere!

    Some variations include a muddled or zested orange peel and/or cherry, but the recipe otherwise remains the same. You know what they say, if it's not broken don't fix it!

    Square image showing old fashioned cocktail drink.
    This classic old-fashioned cocktail is the perfect way to relax after a long day!
    Jump to:
    • Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
    • 🌎 Origin
    • 🥃 What Is The Best Bourbon For Making Old Fashioned Cocktails
    • 🍹 Ingredients For Making An Old Fashioned Cocktail
    • 🍸 How To Make An Old Fashioned Cocktail
    • 🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations
    • 🍲 Foods To Serve With
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 🍷 More Tasty Cocktails
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🌎 Origin

    Back in 1806, the term old-fashioned referred to a style of mixology (yes that was a thing even then), more than a particular drink. At this time, old-fashioneds could include any liquor from gin to tequila. Around 1860 a bartender from Chicago reported that the most popular 'old-fashioned' was made using rye whiskey.

    A few years later in 1882, bartender James E. Pepper who ran his own bourbon distillery in Louisville, Kentucky served the old-fashioned as we know it today at a private club called The Pendennis Club. He later brought the cocktail to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel bar in New York City.

    Many claim Louisville, Kentucky to be the place of origin for this classic cocktail while others insist it comes from New York City. Either way, we're just glad we get to enjoy it!

    * indicates required

    🥃 What Is The Best Bourbon For Making Old Fashioned Cocktails

    There is no right answer here because it is a personal preference. Do you like a hint of spice? Try Knobb Creek 9-Year bourbon for a spicy oak finish to your cocktail.

    Do you prefer your drink a tad bit sweeter? Try using Maker's Mark which has a subtly sweet and fruity caramel finish. It's completely up to you!

    Here are a few more of my favorite bourbons or rye whiskeys for making an old-fashioned:

    • Bulleit Small Batch Bourbon
    • Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
    • Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
    • Old Hammer Straight Rye Whiskey
    • Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
    • Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey

    🍹 Ingredients For Making An Old Fashioned Cocktail

    • Simple Syrup - 1 ½ teaspoon of simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube, *see note).
    • Angostura Bitters - 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
    • Bourbon - 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey.
    • Ice Cubes - Enough ice cubes to fill a rocks glass.

    *Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

    Wide image showing old fashioned cocktail drink.

    🍸 How To Make An Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Once you have the proper ingredients, making this cocktail is a breeze! You will need a shot glass or jigger for measuring the liquor, a rocks glass, and a spoon for stirring.

    1. Add bitters and sugar. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of simple syrup and 2 dashes of bitters to a rocks glass and stir to combine. (*If muddling orange or cherry, you will do that before step 2).
    2. Add ice and bourbon. Fill the glass with ice, then add 2 ounces of your preferred bourbon and stir for about 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
    3. Garnish and serve. Garnish with an orange twist and/or cherry if desired and serve.

    🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations

    • You can muddle a strip of orange peel and/or cherry in the glass with the bitters and simple syrup before completing your cocktail if desired. Not only will the cherry add flavor to your old-fashioned, but muddling helps to release the oils from the orange peel for an extra pop of citrus!
    • If using a sugar cube, place it in the glass first with the bitters and 1 teaspoon of water. Stir until the sugar cube has dissolved before adding the ice and liquor.
    • You can mix your cocktail in one glass with ice then strain it into a clean rocks glass with 1 large ice cube or ice sphere (if you have cocktail ice molds) for a more elegant look.

    🍲 Foods To Serve With

    If you're looking for the right foods to complement the robust flavor of your old-fashioned, try some of these tasty recipes! Mixed nuts are also a classic choice for snacking while you enjoy a nightcap.

    • Thick Cut Pork Chops
    • Smoked Surf N Turf
    • Duck Confit
    • Smoked Leg of Lamb
    • Dutch Butter Cake
    • Cherry Clafoutis

    >>>>See all of my recipes HERE<<<<

    ❓ FAQ

    Is There Water In An Old Fashioned Cocktail?

    Originally, a teaspoon of water was added to the cocktail to help dissolve the sugar cube and slightly dilute the drink. This is beneficial if you do not serve your old-fashioned on-the-rocks. However, now that serving it over ice is common practice and many people use simple syrup instead of a sugar cube, the water isn't usually necessary. Stirring the ice for about 30 seconds will dilute the drink just enough.

    Can I Use Irish Whiskey To Make An Old Fashioned?

    Sure, why not! Check out my page dedicated to Irish whiskey for suggestions. I've also included flavor descriptions so you can make an educated decision on how you want your old-fashioned to taste!

    What's The Difference Between A Manhattan And An Old Fashioned?

    The key difference between these two classic cocktails is the sweetener. An old-fashioned calls for sugar or simple syrup (aka sugar water) while a Manhattan requires sweet vermouth. Otherwise, they are very similar. Both call for bourbon or whiskey, both are stirred not shaken, and both are delicious!

    Tall image showing old fashioned cocktail drink.

    🍷 More Tasty Cocktails

    • Whiskey Sour - A sweet and sour cocktail that would be great with whatever whiskey you choose for this old-fashioned!
    • Blue Lagoon Cocktail - This vibrant blue vodka cocktail has a refreshing pop of citrus flavor from blue curacao!
    • Dark n Stormy Cocktail - Pick up some Gosling’s Black Seal Rum to give this classic cocktail a try!
    • Witch's Brew Cocktail - This fun and festive Halloween cocktail is made with vodka, Midori melon liqueur, and blue curacao to make a tasty bright green drink!
    • Bahama Mama - A fun and fruity tropical rum cocktail that is perfect for a day at the beach or lounging by the pool.
    • Irish Coffee - If you're craving something warm, Irish coffee made with Irish whiskey is the way to go!

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

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    5 from 3 reviews

    Old Fashioned Cocktail

    This old fashioned cocktail is a classic bourbon drink made with whiskey, Angostura bitters, and simple syrup (or sugar). It's a great drink for dinner parties or as a nightcap at the end of the day! You don't need any special tools or bartending experience, this popular cocktail is as easy as it gets!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 1 cocktail
    Calories: 169kcal
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Cooking 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
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    Ingredients
     

    • 1 ½ teaspoon simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube)
    • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
    • 2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey)
    • ice cubes
    Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

    Instructions

    • Add the simple syrup and 2 dashes of bitters to a rocks glass and stir to combine. (*If muddling orange and cherry, you will do that before step 2).
      1 ½ teaspoon simple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters
    • Fill the glass with ice, then add the bourbon and stir for about 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
      2 ounces bourbon
    • Garnish with an orange twist and/or cherry if desired and serve.

    Equipment You May Need

    Home Bar Kit
    Rocks Glass
    Cocktail Garnish Picks

    Notes

    • You can muddle a strip of orange peel and/or cherry in the glass with the bitters and simple syrup before completing your cocktail if desired. Not only will the cherry add flavor to your old-fashioned, but muddling helps to release the oils from the orange peel for an extra pop of citrus!
    • If using a sugar cube, place it in the glass first with the bitters and 1 teaspoon of water. Stir until the sugar cube has dissolved before adding the ice and liquor.
    • If desired, you can mix your cocktail in one glass with ice then strain it into a clean rocks glass with 1 large ice cube or ice sphere (if you have cocktail ice molds) for a more elegant look.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 8mg | Sugar: 8g (9%) | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.4mg (2%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    bourbon cocktails, cocktail recipes, old fashioned, old fashioned cocktail, whiskey cocktails
    Course Cocktails, whiskey cocktails
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
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